Co-operative reveals ‘Have Your Say’ survey results

The Co-op said one of the key messages from the poll was that the group should put local communities at the heart of its future. It said it has committed to putting those views at the centre of its strategy and purpose, and will use survey findings to steer the three-year rebuild of the Society.

Key findings from the survey include:

• 82% said the Co-operative should champion local issues that affect people in their local communities
• 86% felt favourable towards the Co-operative, while 71% of people believe it is a business that tries to do the right thing
• Co-operative Food shoppers said lower prices (53%) and locally sourced products (46%) were the most likely incentives to shop more with the business
• 32% said they believe the Co-operative offers higher quality products and services than its competitors, while 26% believe the business innovates positively and embraces new technology

In a further set of findings related to the relationship between businesses and politics, 63% they were not aware that the Co-operative Group is a financial supporter of the Co-operative Party, while 74% said they believed it was inappropriate for big businesses to donate to political parties.

The Co-operative Group said its board had already decided to put continued financial support of political parties to a member vote at next year’s Annual General Meeting.

Richard Pennycook, group chief executive of the Co-operative Group, said: “The response to Have Your Say was overwhelming and the findings give us a great deal of encouragement and demonstrate the resilience of the Co-operative brand.

“The Co-operative has come through a difficult period and we are now rebuilding the organisation, focused on delivering on our commitment to champion a better way of doing business for our customers and their communities with real change on the ground. The findings of Have Your Say give us a wealth of information and insight that will inform us in that work.”

Source: The Co-operative Group